Tom Welling as Superman (Alex Ross drawings)

Chazz_S · 04-18-2004, 01:46 AM

Wow, very strange. This is artists Alex Ross's sketches on Tom Welling (the guy who plays 'clark kent' on Smallville) appearing as Superman.

http://superherohype.com/superman/index.php?id=1205

When I first saw the headline for this, I was expecting to be BLOWN AWAY with the awesomeness of the portrait/sketch. I really respect Ross, and pretty much EVERYTHING he's done has blown me away(if you need any evidence of how great Ross' work is, check out his official site- linked in the story).

Well... frankly I think these two drawings look dead awful! And this is not even a commentary on Welling as Superman, I mean, just judging them as drawings- they look terrible! Probably the first things I've seen Ross do that look remotely anything less than spectacular. I'm really thinking they're fake, but reading the story it looks like Ross sent them to SHH directly..... strange strange

Shawn_KE · 04-18-2004, 09:57 AM

Maybe they were quick sketches.

Welling is still to young looking to play Superman IMHO. But since they have been unable to find someone, he is there best bet.

Adam Lenhardt · 04-18-2004, 10:45 AM

I actually like Ross's portrayal of Welling as Superman better than the way he usually draws Superman.

I'm not a big fan of the huge "S" though...

Richard Travale · 04-18-2004, 12:26 PM

The one thing is that Welling would have to gain about 40 pounds of muscle to match those drawings.

Robert Anthony · 04-18-2004, 12:27 PM

That S IS huge.

It seems like Ross is making Welling look a lot more feminine than he actually looks. Maybe it's the penciling? I mean--the 2nd picture looks like he's wearing lipstick. I dunno. Then again, Ross just did em for his own amusement as a rough idea, so I wouldn't expect TOO much.

That is one big ass "S" though.

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Chazz_S · 04-18-2004, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Maybe they were quick sketches.

Undoubtedly. Still, I've never seen any Ross art that was less than amazing. That's what comes as a surprise to me.

About the body being too muscular thing, I just chalk it up to Ross basically sticking Welling's head on how he normally draws superman(with a big square jawed guy). I don't think anyone really expects Welling to bulk up like that. I don't even think he could, that's just not the way he's built. Not really a barrel chest type of guy.

Ricardo C · 04-18-2004, 04:51 PM

The rendering in both pieces is great, but I don't think Alex really captured Welling's face.

I'd still buy a print of the second one, though

Bill Williams · 04-19-2004, 01:31 PM

I have to admit, Alex Ross got Tom Welling's head quite a bit smaller for a really big Superman body. It makes him look more like Superboy a la HHH. Thankfully, it's only a speculative look.

Now when Ross did the four TV Guide covers featuring Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, and Superman a couple of years back, he got Welling's face spot-on. But he does a great Superman that looks like a cross between George Reeves and Christopher Reeve.

Chazz_S · 04-19-2004, 02:18 PM

Oh wow, I didn't know he did TV guide covers for smallville.

I found the Lex and Lana ones on google image search, here's lex:

http://www.universohq.com/cinema/images/01120303.jpg

I gotta say.....those doesn't really wow me either. I'm beginning to think that likenesses just aren't his strong suit. And this is a fair playing field for comparison now since these are definitely fully painted finished pieces.

The search pulled up this image as well:

http://www.alexrossart.com/rossrepor.../superman.html

Amazing.

Chazz_S · 04-19-2004, 02:23 PM

Ah! Found the full TV guide cover on his site. Turns out the Superman painting above is part of the same piece!